Chrome's new rules ruined ad blockers. Here are 4 things that still work

A few years ago, Chrome introduced Manifest V3 and began phasing out the older Manifest V2 technology used by some of the most advanced browser extensions. According to Google, the older version was harder to maintain and had its own real security risks, but we suspect it’s also because Google wanted to rein in extension capabilities.

Unfortunately, this also made it harder to install extensions like the highly popular uBlock Origin. While workarounds still existed by using Chrome flags, that’s no longer the case. It is now virtually impossible to get MV2 extensions to work in Chrome.

So, what are your options when it comes to ad-blocking? These days, you won’t find full ad-blocking support on Chrome, but there are still a few solutions for those set on sticking with Google’s popular browser.

AdGuard

The new changes to the Chrome browser make it hard to add truly comprehensive, high-level blocking directly. But what if you didn’t need to in the first place? AdGuard is an app that runs outside your browser and can do much more than just block ads on the sites you use.

Not only can AdGuard block ads in other apps and services beyond the browser, but it can also protect you from trackers, malware, phishing, social widgets, and other security threats. It’s also extremely easy to set up and get started, with a wide range of supported platforms including iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS.

AdGuard is free for just one device, but if you want multi-device coverage, parental controls, and the ability to block ads in apps and games, you’ll need a personal account starting at $2.49 a month. Honestly, in 2026, you won’t find a better option if you need Chrome support and robust blocking that covers malware, tracking, and more.

Please be aware that while you can download this app from Google Play, this version removes Chrome support and makes a few other tweaks. Thankfully, the AdGuard website has an APK you can sideload if you want to keep using Chrome. 

uBlock Origin Lite

While uBlock Origin offers deep customization and maximum protection, it’s simply no longer available in Chrome. Thankfully, uBlock Origin Lite is a nice alternative if you want a blocking solution that’s fully compatible with the newer Manifest V3 standard.

The Lite version not only removes custom filter lists and dynamic filtering, but it also lacks an element picker that lets you target stubborn pop-ups, and it offers limited protection against malicious links. If you are just looking to cut out ad clutter and make the web slightly easier to navigate, you’ll find the Lite version is up for the job.

If you are looking for more comprehensive coverage, this isn’t a great option. It ultimately depends on what you’re looking for and what kind of user you are. For a casual web user scrolling social media and streaming videos, this could be a good enough solution without having to look to use an outside app like AdGuard or an alternative browser like Firefox.

Using a Private DNS

As much as I recommend AdGuard for most users, it isn’t without its downsides. First, the app can be a bit bloated and may impact your battery life. It’s also expensive if you want to unlock its full feature potential. A free workaround here is to use Android’s Private DNS features.

While there are many custom DNS options you can configure directly in Android, I highly recommend NextDNS, which is totally free as long as you keep your queries to 300,000 per month. What does that mean exactly? A query is a single DNS lookup request made by a device. Depending on how much you browse, this could be more than enough for most users, but there’s also a Pro option that gives you unlimited access for $1.99 a month or as little as $20 a year.

NextDNS works similarly to AdGuard in its core functionality, meaning it can block ads and trackers and provide a safer web experience for kids and families all at once. Of course, configuring DNS also means you don’t have to install another app on your phone, so the resource impact should be minimal.

Setting up NextDNS is as simple as registering an account on NextDNS’s website; then go to the Setup tab and the Endpoints section. From there, you’ll want to copy or write down your DNS-over-TLS/QUIC hostname (found within your NextDNS account settings). Once you have this, simply go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced > Private DNS (exact steps can vary depending on the Android skin and version). Select Private DNS provider hostname and paste in the unique NextDNS hostname you copied. Tap Save, and that’s it.

While this method is built with Android in mind, you can do the same thing directly from the desktop versions of Chrome by clicking on the three-dot menu and going to Settings > Privacy and Security > Security. You’ll then scroll to the Use Secure DNS option, turn it on, and configure it basically the same way.

Consider switching browsers instead

Let’s be honest, Chrome might be a popular browser, but it’s not without its faults. Not only is Google working hard to remove some of the control we once had over the browser, but it’s also a known resource hog — especially on desktop. Now might be the right time to consider another browser.

Brave browser is a natural choice if you’re looking to take privacy and security to the next level. Not only does it have ad-blocking and tracker-blocking features baked in, but it’s also optimized for battery life and highly compatible with Chrome, as it’s built on the same Chromium engine.

Want more power to control things as you see fit? I would highly recommend Firefox if you are looking for something as robust as Chrome and prefer to find your own security solutions. Firefox not only supports the full uBlock Origins experience, but it’s also generally faster than Chrome.